Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Are we all alone? Continuation... Have you noticed that, very often, the Noble Prize is awarded to a group of people, often from several different countries? Nowadays it is obvious that most of critical discoveries and scientific works are not developed by a single mind, but rather groups and teams of scientists. They may be working in separate laboratories or lecture rooms, in various places on the Earth, but they communicate and share their thoughts, especially while working on groundbreaking projects. Sometimes, their projects started 20-30 years earlier and are being continued by newer teams who carry on all the previous findings. This is very simple: science does not recognize politics, skin colors, geographical location, or any other bias factor. Medical science is no different. When we work on newer medications targeting some significant chronic problems like psoriasis, we do not really think about who and where they came up with the new molecule. We are interested and intrigued by the safety and effectiveness of this new medication, but we do not ask questions about the nationality of the father of it. The same logical thought applies to medical equipment discoveries. Most of lasers and medical robots come from Europe. Some, from South Korea. As long as they meet safety standards and work well for our patients, we are eager to implement their utilization. As a matter of fact, we may not even know the exact manufacturer of our equipment, because it was created in one place, but utilized parts from many other places. I hope you realize where I am trying to lead you with my thinking. It is very simple. When it comes to medical progress, development of novel medication, manufacturing safer and better medical tools, we have been in global industry for many years. If someone says otherwise, they just do not have any details. We have been conducting clinical trials for almost 21 years, and we work with 'sponsors' from all over the world. When their resulting products are hopeful to fill in lacking spaces, we want them to be successful, because we know they will help patients in need. What is particularly upsetting is the fact that many decision-making individuals do not research the facts. They lack comprehensive knowledge about the medical field and processes of research and scientific discovery. They just act biased, based on a very limited understanding of facts. They predict results that have no base in prior facts. If you are a car developer, there is a big chance you know very little about how organic pharmacology works. You may be a very smart person, but, with today's specialization level, there are no people who know it all. They have to have reliable advisors, who are not afraid to be challenged and to challenge others. I do worry about development and production of generic drugs in our country. More than 90% of my patients use generic medications. Implementation of additional tariff fees on these medical products will probably make them less accessible to patients. And most of all I worry about bias being placed on science, a field that needs to be protected from any misinterpretation. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Are we all alone ? Continuation ... Have you noticed that , very often , the Noble Prize is awarded to a group of people , often from several different countries ? Nowadays it is obvious that most of critical discoveries and scientific works are not developed by a single mind , but rather groups and teams of scientists . They may be working in separate laboratories or lecture rooms , in various places on the Earth , but they communicate and share their thoughts , especially while working on groundbreaking projects . Sometimes , their projects started 20-30 years earlier and are being continued by newer teams who carry on all the previous findings . This is very simple : science does not recognize politics , skin colors , geographical location , or any other bias factor . Medical science is no different . When we work on newer medications targeting some significant chronic problems like psoriasis , we do not really think about who and where they came up with the new molecule . We are interested and intrigued by the safety and effectiveness of this new medication , but we do not ask questions about the nationality of the father of it . The same logical thought applies to medical equipment discoveries . Most of lasers and medical robots come from Europe . Some , from South Korea . As long as they meet safety standards and work well for our patients , we are eager to implement their utilization . As a matter of fact , we may not even know the exact manufacturer of our equipment , because it was created in one place , but utilized parts from many other places . I hope you realize where I am trying to lead you with my thinking . It is very simple . When it comes to medical progress , development of novel medication , manufacturing safer and better medical tools , we have been in global industry for many years . If someone says otherwise , they just do not have any details . We have been conducting clinical trials for almost 21 years , and we work with ' sponsors ' from all over the world . When their resulting products are hopeful to fill in lacking spaces , we want them to be successful , because we know they will help patients in need . What is particularly upsetting is the fact that many decision - making individuals do not research the facts . They lack comprehensive knowledge about the medical field and processes of research and scientific discovery . They just act biased , based on a very limited understanding of facts . They predict results that have no base in prior facts . If you are a car developer , there is a big chance you know very little about how organic pharmacology works . You may be a very smart person , but , with today's specialization level , there are no people who know it all . They have to have reliable advisors , who are not afraid to be challenged and to challenge others . I do worry about development and production of generic drugs in our country . More than 90 % of my patients use generic medications . Implementation of additional tariff fees on these medical products will probably make them less accessible to patients . And most of all I worry about bias being placed on science , a field that needs to be protected from any misinterpretation . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net